What happened with the fake AI reading list?

In 2025, The Chicago Sun-Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer published a summer reading list that included 10 fake books generated by artificial intelligence. These books were falsely attributed to real authors like Isabel Allende and Andy Weir. The mistake happened because a freelance writer used AI to create the list but failed to verify the information. The newspapers quickly faced backlash for the error.

READ: The Chicago Sun-Times released a statement on its website addressing the issue.
READ: The Philadelphia Inquirer also posted a story about the AI list, although it appears to be behind a paywall.

Why is this a big deal?

The fake reading list damaged the newspapers’ credibility and exposed the growing risk of using AI without proper oversight. In this case, the mistake wasn’t caught because the content came from a syndication partner and bypassed the editorial review process. This highlights a key issue: as AI becomes more common, human verification becomes even more important.

Why must professionals verify AI-generated content?

AI tools can be helpful for brainstorming and drafting, but they can also make up facts, create fake quotes, or attribute false information to real people. If you're using AI to write:

• Blog posts

• Newsletters

• Press releases

• Marketing copy

• Client reports

• Social media posts

…you are responsible for verifying every fact. Even a small error can hurt your reputation, cost you clients, or lead to legal problems.

What are the risks of skipping verification?

• Loss of trust: Your audience may stop believing your content.

• Professional embarrassment: Like what happened to the newspapers.

• Legal concerns: Misinformation can lead to lawsuits or copyright issues.

• Brand damage: One error can go viral and hurt your company’s image.

How do you verify AI-generated content?

1. Fact-check everything: Verify names, titles, dates, and quotes using reliable sources.

2. Cross-check references: Look up any statistics or book titles mentioned.

3. Edit carefully: Read the content with a critical eye and cut anything suspicious.

4. Use human oversight: Always have someone review the final version.

5. Never publish AI-generated content without review: Even if it sounds right, it may be wrong.

What’s the takeaway for professionals?

AI is a powerful tool, but it’s not perfect. If you're using AI-generated content for anything with your name or brand on it, verification is non-negotiable. You must take the time to check everything before publishing.

Bottom line:

✅ Use AI to save time.
❌ Don’t trust it blindly.
✔️ Always verify before you publish.